GPS Signal Acquisition Using Parallel Counter Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional GPS receivers face slow search speeds when locating target cells in a two-dimensional array of code and frequency bins, which hampers the efficient determination of distance and speed between the receiver and satellites.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses counters to decode GPS signals in units of time across multiple cells, comparing decoding results with thresholds, and iteratively updating counters to filter and identify the most likely target cell, thereby accelerating the search process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional GPS receiver searches each cell one by one in the two-dimensional array, then the search is thorough and accurate, but the search speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the two-dimensional search space into multiple parallel processing units. Each processing unit handles a specific subset of cells simultaneously, dividing the exhaustive search task into concurrent segments that can be processed in parallel, thus maintaining accuracy while improving search speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the sequential one-dimensional search process into a two-dimensional parallel processing architecture. By organizing the search space as a two-dimensional array and processing multiple cells simultaneously across different dimensions, the system achieves both thorough search coverage and accelerated performance
2Measurement precision
If the receiver searches all possible cells to ensure accurate target cell location, then the measurement precision is high, but the time required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of the search space by pre-organizing cells into a two-dimensional array structure and preparing parallel processing units before the actual search begins. This preliminary setup enables rapid simultaneous evaluation of multiple cells, reducing the time needed to achieve accurate target cell identification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by keeping multiple processing units actively evaluating different cells simultaneously throughout the search process. Rather than sequentially checking each cell, the system continuously processes multiple candidates in parallel, minimizing idle time and accelerating acquisition
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the time required to locate the target cell, enhancing the speed and efficiency of GPS signal acquisition and enabling quicker determination of relative position and speed.
Implementation Method 1
there is a relative speed between the satellite and receiver, the received signal is modulated by Doppler frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A Global Position System signal acquiring system and method is provided in this invention. Pluralities of counters are set, each corresponding to a code bin and a frequency bin of the signal. Subsequently, the signal corresponding to the counters is repeatedly received in a unit of time and the counters are accordingly updated for a pre-determined iteration. At last, a maximum value among the counters is found to acquire the signal corresponding to the counter having the maximum value.